Sustainability
We want children to discover film as a way of looking at the world, asking questions and learning to take care of it. That is why we work to make the festival more responsible, accessible and committed to the planet every year. We know there is still a way to go, and we are doing it as a community.
The festival’s environmental commitments
Our commitment to the environment
At My First Festival we understand sustainability as a shared responsibility. Our goal is to progressively reduce the environmental impact of the festival and, at the same time, harness the educational power of film to convey values of care, respect and coexistence.
In 2025 we carried out an environmental assessment of MODIband and developed the My First Festival Sustainability Plan, a roadmap that sets out 28 specific actions.
Good practices for audiences
Small gestures to enjoy the festival more sustainably
Audiences are an essential part of My First Festival. With small gestures, every family can help us reduce the festival’s environmental impact.
Before you come
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Check the venue page and plan your journey by public transport, on foot, by bike or by scooter whenever possible.
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Bring your tickets in digital format to avoid unnecessary printing.
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Bring your reusable bottle if you will be out for several hours.
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Check the recommended age for the session, the accessibility information and the anticipation guides for the adapted sessions to choose the most suitable experience for each child.
During the festival
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Use the bins and recycling points at the venues.
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Avoid generating unnecessary waste and, if you bring food or drink, prioritise reusable containers.
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Take care of the festival spaces as if they were your home: the theatres, the materials, the workshops and the common areas belong to everyone.
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Take part in the voting and activities: your opinion helps us improve every edition.
After the session
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Keep talking about the films as a family. Many of them invite us to talk about caring for the planet, friendship, diversity, nature or coexistence.
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And if you receive a festival survey, we encourage you to answer it. Your answers help us better understand audience travel habits and keep reducing the environmental impact of My First Festival.
Good practices for guests and professionals
Travel better, share more, print less
Guests, professionals, collaborators and teams linked to the festival are also part of our environmental commitment.
That is why we recommend prioritising the train whenever possible, grouping journeys, staying near the venues and using public transport for urban trips.
We also encourage you to reduce printing, share materials in digital format, bring a reusable bottle and avoid single-use products during your stay at the festival.
When a guest travels from far away, we try to make the most of their presence by scheduling several activities, such as presentations, film forums, masterclasses, professional meetings or workshops. This gives more meaning to the journey and increases the cultural and educational value of their visit.
Collaborations and future certifications
A roadmap to keep improving
The My First Festival Sustainability Plan has been developed with the support of K is for Knowledge, an organisation specialised in sustainability applied to cultural and audiovisual events.
This work allows us to have a clearer strategy, identify impacts, organise measures and define monitoring indicators. In addition, the festival has a sustainability officer within the team to support decision-making and ensure compliance with the established protocols.
In the coming editions we will continue to move forward in three lines of work:
Related activities
Films, workshops and conversations to care for the planet
My First Festival believes in the power of film to open questions and awaken new perspectives. That is why sustainability is also present in the festival’s programme, activities and educational materials.
Each edition we select films that invite reflection on nature, responsible consumption, biodiversity, the climate crisis, the relationship between people and their environment, and other ways of inhabiting the world.
In addition, all sessions include presentations, film forums or teaching materials that help children develop a critical and aware perspective. In the creation workshops, whenever possible, we use reused materials or materials given a second life.
Sustainability does not appear in a single section: it runs through the festival naturally, just like diversity, equality, accessibility and active audience participation.
Programme with an environmental label
Look for the green label in the programme
In the festival programme you will find a special label to identify films, sessions and activities with environmental awareness.
This label highlights proposals that address topics such as nature, biodiversity, climate change, responsible consumption, ecosystem care, the relationship with animals, energy, water or climate justice.
It is not a technical certification about the film’s production, but a pedagogical guide for families, schools and professional audiences. Its aim is to help you find stories that invite you to talk with children about caring for the planet.
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Public transport information at the venues
How to get there sustainably
We encourage you to come to the festival by public transport, on foot, by bike or by scooter whenever possible. Most of our venues are well connected and have nearby options to arrive comfortably and responsibly.
On each CITY page you will find information about the nearest metro, bus, train or bike stops, as well as accessibility information.
Planning your journey is also part of the festival experience: we arrive better, we reduce emissions and we start the session caring for the planet.
